Sarah Taylor believes England women finally showed what they are capable of in the final three matches of their tour of New Zealand.
Charlotte Edwards’ side were 2-1 behind in the five-match one-day international rubber and level at 1-1 in the Twenty20s when they arrived in Christchurch.
But they acclimatised to the conditions at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval superbly, winning three consecutive games to triumph in both series.
Wicketkeeper-batter Taylor said told ecb.co.uk: “At the start of the series we didn’t do ourselves justice and that was in the T20s and the one-dayers.
“We knew coming to Christchurch we had a big job to do and perform how we want to perform. I think that is exactly how we played today, our brand of cricket.”
Congratulations to @Sarah_Taylor30 ODI Player of the Series v @WHITE_FERNS #EngWomen pic.twitter.com/EYNbctj0OS
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) February 28, 2015
Taylor played an integral role in helping England overturn the 2-1 deficit in the 50-over games.
The 25-year-old followed up an unbeaten 89 with 93 as England chased 231 with five wickets and as many overs to spare in the deciding ODI today.
She said: “It was nice to contribute the last game and now this game. I was happy to put in a performance that helped the team.
“The wicket is so nice here in Christchurch so you get a lot of value for your runs if you play down the ground and straight. That is obviously a strength of mine.
“Every person who went out to bat showed intent down the ground and I think that was the way to go.”
A closer look at @Lottie2323 @Heatherknight55 & @natsciver in the nets this morning #Engwomen http://t.co/LC8pC1An0c
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) February 27, 2015
Taylor shared a 53-run fifth-wicket stand with Natalie Sciver, who saw her side to victory with a career-best format score of 65 not out.
On the latter’s performance, Taylor added: “She is a brilliant talent and it was nice of her to come in and finish the game off in the style she did.
“We always talk about partnerships and luckily we did that today, myself, Lyd (Lydia Greenway) and Lot (Edwards) up front and Sciver. It was a brilliant way to finish off the series.”
Just like she did in her last outing, Rebecca Grundy excelled with the ball by returning figures of 3-36 from 10 overs.
The left-arm spinner told ecb.co.uk: “It is nice to pick up the wickets. I actually thought I got away with a couple of balls that ended up going for wickets today.
Well bowled @grundy_becky (3-36) & @lauramarsh7 (2-32) for #EngWomen earlier today! pic.twitter.com/P3NEeO5zs4
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) February 28, 2015
“It felt better and the more games I get under my belt, I will have more experience which is a positive.”
Grundy and fellow slow bowler Laura Marsh, both returning from injury to make this tour, bowled in tandem during the middle overs to help restrict the hosts to 230 for eight.
On Marsh, who took 2-32 from her full allocation, Grundy said: “I think she has come in, played and took some wickets herself. If not taking wickets, then she is economical.
“I think it is really good to have spin at both ends and if we can keep the scores down, that obviously puts the pressure on them.”